Kate McKinnon Joining 'SNL' As Featured Player

Comedian Kate McKinnon will join "Saturday Night Live" as a featured player as early as next weekend's Sofia Vergara-hosted episode, Deadline is reporting. McKinnon will be the show's first out lesbian to join the cast since the late Danitra Vance was cast in 1985.

The comedian and actress is known for her strong character work, which has been showcased in various one-woman shows in recent years, including "Disenchanted," a satirical look at popular fairy tale characters years past their prime. In 2010, she was nominated for the Emerging Comic Award by the ECNYs, which celebrate the comedic performing arts in New York.

McKinnon isn't the only female cast member Lorne Michaels has tested recently, according to Deadline. Veteran cast member Kristen Wiig is expected to make a decision about her future at "SNL" later this year, meaning the show might be one woman shorter.

WATCH: McKinnon in her UCB Comedy web series, "The 40 Year Old 20 Year Old"